is that a challenge?

Raumr could understand why the buck would be so angry. Deer were known for being territorial, but was it so blinded by hormones and rage that it did not see it was facing off against a very large feline? Confusion glances across his expression as he squares off with the muscular herbivore. While it had no sharp teeth or claws to defend itself, it had a very large rack of antler and the hooves were nothing to dismiss. The buck could clearly hold its own and it was willing and ready to prove itself now.

Releasing another intimidating roar that has the buck snorting back in defiance, Raumr takes this moment to calculate. Where best would it be for him to attack? He had to avoid the antlers at all costs. Being gored by one of those sharp points would do him no good. Being kicked could potentially break a rib, but that was less worrisome for the big cat. His fiery amber colored eyes rove over the buck until the sound of leaf litter crunching loudly under paw catches not only his attention, but the buck's as well. Both he and the enraged buck look over to where the herd had ran to find a tall, slender, and ethereal appearing wolf with long catfish like whiskers and curving horns.

As amazed as he is at the sight of the canine, introductions would have to wait for now. They needed to take on the buck before they were both squished into the ground or gored against a tree. Raumr quickly turns his attention back to the buck, settling on the fact that he would protect the young wolf from harm and run the buck off without hurting it too much. The herd of does would need a buck to protect them and killing this one wouldn't do them any good. But clearly, the buck had other ideas. Ignoring Raumr's initial step forward toward it and rather focusing intently on the canine, he watches as the wolf charges ahead and aims to attack the buck.

His eyes widen in surprise, watching the scene unfold in front of him. Horns to thigh, deer antlers swinging down and around to try and carve into the girl's side. Knowing he needed to act fast before the buck got ahold of her, Raumr leaps without a second thought. Pushing himself up into the air and closing the distance quickly, he lands claws first upon the buck's face and rack of antlers. Digging in deep and raking his claws down the deer's face, his weight easily brings the buck's head down and away from the wolf. Warm blood coats his paws as he continues to hold on as the buck attempts to shake him off.

Though the buck is able to swing Raumr back and forth, with the help of the wolf, it can't move far or very much. While he feels terrible for feeling the need to kill the buck, he knows it must be done now. It was either their lives or the buck's. Releasing his back paws from their perch on the buck's shoulders, Raumr swings them toward the buck's throat. After a few attempts, he feels skin slice open and more blood wash over his legs. The buck lets out one last gurgling bugle of pain before stumbling forward onto the grass. Raumr hurriedly removes his sharp claws from the buck, leaping backward and out of harm's way. Out of breath, he turns to the girl with a tired smile.

"You fight well," he comments, collapsing onto the grass for a moment so that he may recuperate some energy. "If you need help taking this back to your home, I would be delighted to assist," Raumr says casually as he brings up a paw to start licking the blood clean from his ivory fur.

Raumr Regalus, the Third